Karramarro Surf Forecast and Surf Report

The next week and a bit is a real mixed bag at Karramarro, and honestly, the start is a total write-off. There’s nothing surfable on Thursday the 27th – we’re looking at a tiny 1ft dribble with not a hint of energy (19). It’s a lake out there, which is fine if you’ve got a foil, but for a proper surf, you’re better off doing something else. Water temp is sitting at 75°, which is a couple of degrees warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t need a thick suit.

Friday the 28th wakes up a little with a 4ft swell from the WNW, but the period is a weak 7 seconds. The wind is offshore though, a light SW breeze, so it’ll be clean, but the waves will be soft and a bit gutless. It’s surfable, but it’s not going to get your heart racing. The energy is still low at 196.

Then the weekend proper starts to kick in. Saturday the 29th morning is the first real standout of the run. The swell jumps to 6ft from the WNW with a 9-second period, and the wind drops to absolute zero. Glassy conditions and the energy is building to a solid 547. This is where Karramarro (Dana Point) starts to show its point break magic. It’s still a bit much for beginners at that size, but for the advanced crew, it’s going to be fun. Sunday the 30th morning keeps it going with a 4ft NW swell, 8-second period and more glassy conditions (292). It’s a bit smaller, but still clean and playful. The afternoon gets a bit lumpy with a cross-shore, so get your waves in early.

Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of September keep the morning windows clean and glassy, with 5ft and 4ft NW swells respectively. The energy is solidly moderate, 294 and 303. It’s consistent and you’ll get waves, but the standout is still Saturday morning. The crowds are a known factor here, they’re often there, so be prepared for some company on those clean mornings.

Then the surf just vanishes. From Wednesday the 2nd through Friday the 4th, the swell drops to under 3ft, the period is short, and the energy is weak (100 and below). It’s a proper lull, and I wouldn't bother paddling out unless you’re desperate. It’s a few days of nothing.

But hold on. The long-range charts are starting to look interesting. The surf comes back strong on Saturday the 5th of September. We have a 4ft NW swell in the morning with an 11-second period, and the energy is up at 437. That’s a proper groundswell signature. By Saturday afternoon, it’s pumping harder – 6ft with a 13-second period and the energy is cranking at 954. The only issue is a cross-onshore breeze kicks in, so it might be a bit bumpy, but the power is there.

The pick of the second week has to be Sunday the 6th of September. The morning is a bit cross-on with a 5ft NW swell, but we’re looking at an 11-second period – that’s proper groundswell. The afternoon is where it all lines up. The wind goes glassy again, the swell holds at 6ft from the NW with an 11-second period, and the energy is a strong 671. This is going to be the best surf of the fortnight. Long-period NW swells love point breaks like this, so it should line up nicely. It’s clean, powerful, and the standout of the second week, but remember, this is a long-range call, so it’s promising more than certain.

There’s still surf around on Monday the 7th, with a clean 5ft NW swell in the morning, but it’s not as strong as the day before. After that, from Tuesday the 8th onward, the swell drops back down and the conditions get ordinary again. We’re back to inconsistent 4ft or less with the wind swinging onshore or cross. The pattern is the same each day: a bit of morning promise followed by afternoon chop. Don’t expect much after that Sunday.

Take it from me, Rusty. Mark down Saturday the 29th of August for your first session, and circle Sunday the 6th of September as the one with real size and power. Don't waste your time on those flat days in between.

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